My students and I recently lost someone important to us.
Randall Marquis was a school volunteer for the past ten years. During that time he turned 80 years old. However, his energy, patience, determination and punctuality never failed. This year during our Taming of the Shrew tryouts, he called to apologize that he probably couldn’t make it for the first day. He was in the hospital, he said, and the doctors wouldn’t let him go home.
I initially invited Randall to help me with a small Shakespeare Festival of short one-act scenes from plays. His vast years of theater experience, particularly with Shakespearean drama, provided valuable insight for direction. He jumped in with both feet and for over a decade would be recognized as our school’s director of our annual Shakespeare production.
He was a wonderful partner. Whenever we would meet up to discuss our play, he was full of great ideas and encouragement. He believed in our middle school students’ capacity to understand and perform Shakespeare. He insisted on quality effort and quality results.
The productions quickly became elaborate, two hour performances which included music, light and sound. His vision captured other helpers including a production design genius, John Pleasants, from nearby Davis High School, who continues to allow us to use his beautiful proscenium stage and provides technical expertise.
Randall also helped me with classroom activities that required a little dramatic flair. He has appeared as the governor of Washington, anxious to hear student reports about the state of the state. He was Mr. Rude in a lesson about manners. He also came as himself to tell about his own personal experiences over the years during the Great Depression, World War II, and during his distinguished career as a lawyer and judge.
Randall’s energy and commitment will have a lasting impact on my students. He worked with hundreds of them. He knew how important adult mentors can be for young people and never let us down.
So the show must go on. We’re dedicating this year’s production to Randall.
Senior volunteers certainly sacrifice their time and tranquility if they choose to work with youth, but what an impact one person can have! Randall’s torch is blazing still; who will take it up?
“How far that little candle throws his beams!
So shines a good deed in a naughty world.”
-William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice
Irene Smith is a guest blogger and teacher in the Yakima School District.
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